Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #329 July 2023
FRIENDS OF CHILTERN – MT PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc.
Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com
President: Vacant
Newsletter: Neville Bartlett: neville@nrbartlett.com.au
Website:http://www.friendsofchiltern.au/
Spring is on its way!
Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) has started to bloom in the Park and it is a sign that spring is on its way.
Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) on Barnawartha Depot Road
Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea) Photos: Neville Bartlett
July field day
The day involved a site inspection at the Frogs Hollow planting that was carried out in 2022 and olive
removal on the Northern side of Donchi Hill Road.
The 2022 planting at Frogs Hollow
Some of the plants are making good progress. Photos: Neville Bartlett
The work was followed by a gathering, chat and bun at the Northern intersection of Donchi Hill Road and
Bullant Track.
Four-spotted Cup Moth (Doratifera quadriguttata) – Eileen Collins
Four-spotted Cup Moth (Doratifera quadriguttata): caterpillar, pupal case and moth. Photos: Neil Blair
The spherical cup-shaped pupal case gives rise to the “cup moth” part of the name. It is this long lasting
stage of the moth’s life history that is frequently encountered. The “four spotted” part refers to the four
spots, two on each forewing of the moth.
The brightly coloured caterpillar bears four rosettes on its head.
These rosettes conceal stinging spines. These spines are activated when a threat is perceived.
Should you encounter this caterpillar the message is “observe and do not touch”
Food plants include eucalypt and wattle species.
*One might assume that these caterpillars would have no predators. However there are photographs on the
Brisbane Insects site showing a Shining Bronze-cuckoo with one in its beak.
Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta) – July image in the 2023 calendar
The logic behind including this image in July was that it would be good to dream of warmer months when
these birds would be more likely to be back but the birds have other ideas. There have been several
sightings of Scarlet Honeyeaters in the Park over the last few weeks.
Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta). Photo: Neville Bartlett
This species is usually a summer visitor to the region with numbers that vary greatly from year to year.
Normally, they can be found in the more Northerly parts of the Eastern coast of Australia up as far as
Cairns.
Ranger’s Report – Brian Pritchard
Things have been a bit quiet from our end with the end of financial year processes, staff leave and the wet
weather limiting time in the park. Firewood removal and rubbish dumping unfortunately continue to occur.
Meetings have been held recently with traditional owner groups to plan for repairs to Yeddonba boardwalk
but we expect it will still be some time before the site reopens.
2023 AGM – Saturday 2nd September 2023
Plans are being made for our 2023 AGM at the Chiltern Senior Citizens hall. Our guest speaker for the
AGM will be Dr. Alexandra Knight, who is an expert on frogs. More details will be available in the August
newsletter.
2024 Friends calendar – call for images
There will be a Friends calendar for 2024 in two formats (A3 and A4) as was the case for the 2023
calendar. We are seeking images that show aspects of the Park. Images will be reviewed by a selection
panel.
Rainfall June 2023 120 mm, the wettest June since 2016. Total for the year to date 2023: 428 mm.
The corresponding total until the end of June 2022 was 514 mm.
The average annual rainfall for Chiltern is 689 mm.
Data supplied by Mick Webster.
NEXT MEETING – SUNDAY 6th AUGUST 2023
There will be two main activities. Firstly, there are some plants to be put in along sections of Bar Track and
a track near Crusher Road. Secondly, there are about 20 Callitris to be planted and protected with large guards and droppers at the Northern end of Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve. Please bring planting equipment, gloves, a chair and morning tea.
As usual, bun will be available.
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office at 9:00am.
Some people will head directly to the Northern end Rutherglen Natural Features Reserve.
Dates for the remainder of 2023 and 2024
For 2023: Saturday 2nd September, Sunday 1st October, Saturday 4th November and Sunday 3rd December 2023.
For 2024: Sunday 4th February, Saturday 2nd March, Sunday 7th April, Saturday 4th May, Sunday 2nd June,
Saturday 6th July, Sunday 4th August, Saturday 7th September, Sunday 6th October, Saturday 2nd November
and Sunday 1st December 2024.
Rule of Thumb: For even months, the field day is held on the first Sunday of the month and for odd
months, it is held on the first Saturday of the month.
Membership – It’s time to renew
Memberships expired on June 30th 2023. Thank you to all who have taken out membership this year. We
hope you will continue your support. Friends have achieved a great deal during the past few years.
Surveys for plants, birds and monitoring, maintaining and surveying mammal boxes, tree planting, weed
control and provision of brochures, interpretive signage and park furniture are just some of our
contributions. Your support for our activities is valued and your membership renewal is important to our
cause.
Please ensure your contact details are current.
Please find enclosed my membership of $15 for 2023-24. The fee covers the whole family and includes 11
newsletters.
Name:…………………………………………………………………………………….. Telephone:……………………………………
Email:…………………………………………………………………………………….. Receipt required: Yes / No
Address:…………………………………………………………………………………… Postcode: ……….
If you wish to use electronic payment the details are:
Acc Name: Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Bank: WAW Credit Union Co-operative Ltd (Cuscal Limited)
BSB number: 803070
Acc number: 81167
Please add your surname to the transaction.
Please advise treasurer, Tony (Email: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com), when you have made the payment
to help us keep track of payments.